My solar plan is financed and a reality

[SoulRaven]

Well it is now just a trip to Flagstaff to have my solar plan complete... I have been using a Harbor Freight special 45 watt set-up, two 12v deep cells and my generator for over a year now and finally it is time to step it up... I have a big 8D deep cell battery, BZ250 MPPT, 250W controller, Marine grade 14AWG wire and waiting for me in Flagstaff is my new Kyocera 185W poly with hail proof glass solar panel... Man it has been a journey and so much gas and use of my beloved genny...<br><br>So now I have 2 sets of house batteries, the two 12V will run lights and assorted lite accessories, the 8D will do the grunt work of the house power, and what the 8D can't handle I have my 2KW Coleman genny for B/U...<br><br>This should be the end of my power plans, now it is just gettin' to installing things... <br><br>Whew...<br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<P>Have fun, I love the little galleries in Flagstaff. Dropping down to Sedona? I hear it has got real crowded in the past few years. Cottonwood, close to Sedona, I was thinking of moving there a few years ago but it is all apartments now. Oak Creek Canyon used to be free to camp in. Doubt thats the case now. Wish I was in the area anyway. Left you&nbsp; pm</P>

 

[SheketEchad]

<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Congratulations! &nbsp;What a great sounding set up. &nbsp;I hope to be able to do the same one day...of course, have to get the rig first <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></span><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Just remember, photos when done please sir!</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">~SE</span></div>

 

[gimo76]

No I don't want photos when he is done, silly. &nbsp;I want to see photos of each step of the way... You know pink wire goes to purple wire that kind of thing. &nbsp;This is a.... I need to know situation..... as I don't know my blue wire from my yellow wire.... lololol. &nbsp;I don't know what to connect to what... Inverter to converter to battery to solar panel... I will learn it soon....&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>A picture is truly worth a ton of words. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>off topic now....</div><div>Got my plane reservation and we are flying out to St. Louis on monday 12th to get my new van. &nbsp;I can't wait... I am wondering what the weather is like on route 44 and 40 to get back to CA. &nbsp;Plan to spend a few days in New Mexico.</div><div><br></div><div>Lin</div>

 

[SoulRaven]

Well Gimo and all looking into solar, here is a simple break down of solar power hook up... This is a simple two step process of "Input" and "Output"<br><br>Input: Mount the solar panel, Run the proper gauge wires (+ &amp; -) cleanly down to your "Solar Charge Controller" and per the controllers instructions attach the + to the +, and the - to the - on the back of the controllers solar input... Now attach new wires from the controllers + &amp; - terminals to the battery(s) + &amp; - terminals... There will need to be 30 amp inline fuses between the panel and controller and also the controller to the battery(s) on the + sides... And then the input is done, the battery is now charging off the solar panel...<br><br>Output: In order to use this free energy from the sun, we have to change the battery voltage from 12V DC to a usable 120V AC, thus the output side... So run from the + &amp; - terminals of the battery (use proper gauge wire (14 AWG) to the + &amp; - of the inverter... Now you are ready to use the power in the battery to run TV, comp's, charge phones by simply plugging your device into the inverter and turning it on... Again a 30 amp inline fuse will be used between the battery and the inverter on the + side...<br><br>14 AWG wire will work for most applications up to say 250 watt Solar panels... Marine grade wire is use in all solar projects because the protective coating protects from sun and water (salt water)... You can buy marine grade wire at boating stores or simply buy it off E-Bay... Search "Marine 14 AWG" and a 30 foot roll will run about $12.00 to $15.00... Inline fuse's can be bought at car audio stores, auto part stores or again online on E-Bay...<br><br>I hope breaking this down into 2 steps eliminates all the confusion, remember the solar panels job is to charge the battery via the controller, and the inverters job is to invert the 12V DC to a usable 120V AC...<br><br>

 

[romani10]

No I don't want photos when he is done, silly. &nbsp;I want to see photos of each step of the way... You know pink wire goes to purple wire that kind of thing. &nbsp;This is a.... I need to know situation..... as I don't know my blue wire from my yellow wire.... lololol. &nbsp;I don't know what to connect to what... Inverter to converter to battery to solar panel... I will learn it soon....&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>A picture is truly worth a ton of words. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>off topic now....</div><div>Got my plane reservation and we are flying out to St. Louis on monday 12th to get my new van. &nbsp;I can't wait... I am wondering what the weather is like on route 44 and 40 to get back to CA. &nbsp;Plan to spend a few days in New Mexico.</div><div><br></div><div>Lin</div>

<div>Hey gimo, I don't have solar yet, but I do have an extensive battery power system for my rig....and if you want pics, you might want to check out my blog listed below. I have been experimenting with off-grid power for over 2 years. Might give you a start on battery power...</div>

 

[Vern M]

<p>Don't forget to include a "crowbar" fuse between inverter and battery for protection in case of a total collapse to short. See my solar setup in the van as linked on the home page of this blog. Been working well for me for several years now. Nice to be 100 percent power independent!</p>

 

[gimo76]

Well Gimo and all looking into solar, here is a simple break down of solar power hook up... This is a simple two step process of "Input" and "Output"<br><br>

<div><br></div><div>thank you so much it does make sense when you share it that way. &nbsp;I am not sure what all I want to put into my new Van. &nbsp;The first step will be the new layout and I have boxes and cardboard to place and replace before I start working on anything and will see what works for us. &nbsp;I do not plan on any interior kitchen as we both love to cook outside but will have a microwave for those days you can't go outside. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Just starting to do the homework and getting things paid for as I go so that we can do OK with ss.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Two things I have to save up for are solar and pop top roof. &nbsp;Both spendy but with some hot weather I will do great... I sell a/c's and furnaces....</div><div><br></div><div>But in lovely CA who needs heat or air conditioning lololo</div><div><br></div><div>again, thanks for the advice</div><div>Lin</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

 

[Simran]

This is an excellent idea to figure out just what one can fit into a limited floor plan. Beats moving fixtures around and such.<br><br>gus<br>

The first step will be the new layout and I have boxes and cardboard to place and replace before I start working on anything and will see what works for us.<br><br><br><br><br><br>

 

[judycmomx6]

Soul Raven, thank you so much, this is the first time I have seen this put into wording where it is completely understandable for those of us that don't have a clue! I think I get it now! I never thought it would be so easy. I really appreciate all ya'll's help here on this forum, you make our lives so much easier.

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p>SoulRaven,</p><p>Keep us up-to-date with your progress.</p><p><br></p><p>Van</p>

 

[damian63]

yea it sounds like solar panels are a pain to install and complicated at least to me it bores me to death to hear how to install them

 

[Seraphim]

Very close to our plan: only a 250W panel and 2 100ah batteries. We have room for three. The 8D was too heavy for me to get into place lol.

 

[VanTrekker]

250 watts and 200 AH will work great.&nbsp; You will be able to easily charge your batteries.&nbsp; I'm excited for you!&nbsp; You'll LOVE solar.&nbsp; There's no better price than free.&nbsp; <br /><br />Keep posting and sharing progress with us.&nbsp; Solar is a fun project and gives you quite a feeling of accomplishment and it's useful.&nbsp; Let us know how it works for you, too.<br /><br />V.T.

 

[sparky1]

"Personally, I would go "up" larger Guage to 12 Guage wire,or 10 guage which will carry 30 amps.<br />just my 2 cents.<br />Sparky1.in s.Va.

 

[SoulRaven]

Well guys, not to be a bummer but this post I wrote up was back in March and I have had solar since then... I decided on buying my solar panel from a dealer in Victorville CA when it was spotted for an excellent price of $235.00 for the panel, wiring and mounts...<br /><br />So smart shopping and diligence will pay off eventually...